Valkyrie's Harem (Academy of Immortals 1)

At first no one moves, who would be stupid enough to get in the ring with him—but something wild inside my chest nudges me to my feet.

“Hildi? No,” Marielle whispers, tugging at my skirt.

“I’ve got this,” I tell her. I’ve been antsy since I’ve arrived. My skin itchy. I volunteered to feel something other than the guilt and pain of losing Andi. To get out of the testosterone-fueled basement of the Nead. I stepped through that portal thinking I’d be sent into battle, not high school, and I need to blow off some steam.

Agis’ eyes flick to me and a line slashes his forehead. I step over my classmates and walk down the steep stairs to the platform. This isn’t my first fight. And it’s not my first time with Death on the battlefield. The difference is last time, he was an ally. Today he is a foe.

My classmates murmur as I face Agis in the ring. I look into the crowd and see Luke watching me eagerly, lips twisted in a smirk. Above him are the familiar faces of Marshal and Rupert, both curious. They’ve seen me hold my own in a fight—but this is different. It’s public.

r /> “Are you sure you want to do this?” Agis says. The scythe glints in his hand. “I won’t hold back for the demonstration.”

“Good,” I say, pushing my shirt sleeves to my elbows. “Promise me you’ll never hold back.”

A flame in the depths of his eyes flare, and he swallows thickly as he nods. He lifts his scythe in the air and slams it down on the mat, so hard the platform shudders.

“Good luck, Valkyrie,” he says, as the space around me shimmers. The crowd vanishes and the mat transforms into another place entirely. I sense magic—much like the Shaman’s. this isn’t an ordinary fight.

Fog wafts around us, along with thick, branching trees. The daylight is gone and I’m in a forest. One thing is certain, I’m not alone. Quick footsteps crinkle on the forest floor—they sound like animal feet. I clench my fist and discover a weapon in it. Morgan’s blade. This place truly is magic.

“The trick of this demonstration,” a voice says behind me, “is to not lose focus on who and where your real enemy is.” The whistle of metal slicing through air breezes past my ear. I spin and see the God of Death before me. Handsome. Deadly. Lips curled in a devilish grin.

I punch him in the face, slamming the grin right off.

“And you need to not underestimate your opponent, just because our blood runs hot and there’s not a cock between my legs,” I reply, dodging a return blow. His moves are quick, but I’m faster. I don’t have the bulk and brawn. His blade comes slashing toward me and I duck, kicking him in the back of the knees in the process. He buckles but doesn’t fall. The animals lurk around us. I don’t know if they can attack. I don’t have time to think about it. I need to immobilize Agis. Unlike Marshal, I have no qualms about proving my worth.

The scythe glints in the hazy light and I realize that’s where his power lies. Lore says he was given the weapon and he transformed, slaying through the armies he fought. As we fight, I realize I don’t fear Agis, I’m fascinated by him. His body is prime. His muscles swell. His eyes never drift from me, not once, and that should terrify me, but it doesn’t. I feel a thrill coursing through my blood, my adrenaline.

Using my speed and agility, I land a series of quick attacks; punching, kicking, flipping to his backside. One well-placed kick knocks him off balance, forcing him to his knees. I lift the blade and press it against his spine. “Drop the scythe.”

He laughs. “Only in death.”

The animals roar and I jump, losing focus, giving him the chance to reach back with a massive hand. I jump but too slow, he grips my thigh and tosses me over his head. I land hard on my back, breath knocked out of me. I struggle to sit but he’s on me like a cat; a massive, broad-shouldered predator. My hands and legs are pinned, and his devastatingly handsome face peeks from beneath his hood. The scythe presses against my throat, blade sharp. I feel blood trickle down my neck.

We’re inches apart, strained breath mingling, bodies connected. He could kill me. If we were enemies he’d lop off my head without another thought. I see the disconnect in his eyes.

“Agis,” I whisper.

He blinks.

“Hildi?”

“It’s over,” I say. “You won.”

He swallows and nods, but his hands don’t lose their grip. His body vibrates with rage. I hold his eye, and we stare at one another a moment longer. The scene around us disappears and we’re back on the mat—my classmates watching silently from their seats. Marielle gapes. The twins share identical, creepy grins. I dare a look at the other Immortals and even they look concerned. When I glance back at Agis, it’s like a switch has flipped and he’s back, control falling into place. He stands, offering his hand to help me off the ground, but I don’t take it. I’m shaking, and I don’t want him to see that he rattled me so much. I heave myself off the mat and search for my blade. It’s gone. Vanished with the magic of the demonstration. I’m still trying to steady myself as he launches into his lecture about what just transpired. My weaknesses led to my failure. I don’t listen to him. I just walk back up the steps to my seat.

“Oh my gods, are you okay?” Marielle whispers.

“I’m fine.” I fake a grin. “I got a few hits in.”

“You did but…”

“He’s vicious,” one twin says. “All that evil pouring out of him.”

Her sister nods. “He looked like he wanted to consume you.”

A chill runs down my spine.

“I’ve heard,” Marielle says, ignoring the lecture below, “that when the Immortals were enslaved they were alone and without female companionship. I didn’t believe it, but after seeing him just now…” She shudders. “If he’s like that in a fight, imagine him in bed. All that pent-up energy. I’m about to offer myself up as a volunteer to allow him to release all that rage on me.”